Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers
Your network, your way
Catalyst 9800 Series wireless controllers combine RF excellence with IOS XE benefits. These highly reliable and highly secure controllers are ready to deploy anywhere --including the cloud. They are compatible with the new Catalyst 9100 Series access points that support Wi-Fi 6. Or choose the Cisco Embedded Wireless Controller on Catalyst access points, for Catalyst controller features without a dedicated appliance.
Contact Cisco
Features and benefits
Always on
Whether planned or unplanned, network outages are painful. With Catalyst 9800, features such as high availability and seamless software updates help keep your network up and running.
Secure
Every network needs a strong line of defense. With its secure boot, runtime defenses, imaging signing, and more, Catalyst 9800 helps secure your devices, users, and infrastructure.
Intelligent
When paired with Cisco DNA, your network works for you. Whether it’s providing you with enhanced analytics or being deployed in the infrastructure (including the Cloud) of your choice, the Catalyst 9800 is giving you the choices you need for better efficiency.
Compare Catalyst 9800 Series wireless controllers
Not sure what’s right for you? Try the Cisco wireless selector to find the best products for your needs.
Catalyst 9800-L
- For small campus deployments with the flexibility of copper or fiber uplinks
- Up to 250 APs, 5000 clients, and 5-Gbps throughput
- Hot patching, time saving and hitless upgrades
- Advanced, on-demand telemetry
Catalyst 9800-40
- For medium-sized campus deployments
- Up to 2000 APs, 32,000 clients, and 40-Gbps throughput
- Hot patching, time saving and hitless upgrades
- Advanced, on-demand telemetry
Catalyst 9800-80
- For large campus and service provider deployments
- Up to 6000 APs, 64,000 clients, and 80-Gbps throughput
- Hot patching, time saving and hitless upgrades
- Advanced, on-demand telemetry
Catalyst 9800-CL
- Deploy in private or public (AWS) cloud
- Up to 6000 APs and 64,000 clients
- Hot patching, time saving and hitless upgrades
- Advanced, on-demand telemetry
Embedded wireless for an AP
- Catalyst 9800 embedded on a Catalyst 9100 access point
- Ideal for distributed branches and small campuses
- Up to 100 APs and 2,000 clients
- Hot patching, time saving and hitless upgrades
Embedded wireless for a Switch
- Catalyst 9800 embedded on a Catalyst 9000 switch
- Ideal for SD-Access-enabled distributed branches and small campuses
- Up to 200 APs and 4,000 clients
- Hot patching, time saving and hitless upgrade
Get assured wireless performance with Cisco DNA software
Cisco DNA software subscriptions power analytics and assurance across your network. Benefit from an always-available network that scales with your organization’s growth in applications, users, and devices.
Why upgrade to Catalyst 9800 wireless controllers?
Wireless assurance
With Cisco DNA Assurance, Catalyst 9800 wireless controllers help provide deep visibility and insights into the wireless network.
Centralized management
Cisco DNA Center provides centralized management for not only the Catalyst 9800 wireless controllers but all Cisco DNA-ready wired and wireless solutions from Cisco.
Comprehensive security
Catalyst 9800 Series wireless controllers are the first line of defense with features such as Encrypted Traffic Analytics and secure segmentation with Cisco Software-Defined Access.
Accelerate your success with services from Cisco Customer Experience
Confidently integrate wireless solutions into a secure, automated, intent-based network with expert guidance, proven experience, best practices, and innovative tools.
Recommended resources
Additional resources
At-a-Glances
Blogs
Data Sheets
E-book
Guides
- Cisco Embedded Wireless Controller (EWC) on Catalyst 9100 Access Points Presentation (PDF - 370 KB)
- Benefits to Upgrading to Cisco Wireless Controllers
- Catalyst 9800 Non-Fabric Deployment using Cisco DNA Center Deployment Guide (PDF - 6.07 MB)
- Wireless Ordering Guide with Cisco DNA Subscription Licenses
Third-party report
Videos
For partners
Are you a Cisco partner? Log in to see additional resources.
Looking for a solution from a Cisco partner? Connect with our partner ecosystem.